All eyelid surgeries are performed on the lids or surrounding tissues, not the eyes themselves. Eyelid surgery aims to improve the general appearance of the eye area, including a reduction of puffiness or drooping related to aging and/or heredity.

Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty, the most frequently performed type of cosmetic eye surgery, can be performed on the upper lids, lower lids or both. Blepharoplasty (often called an eye lift) can treat cosmetic conditions including fatty deposits that create puffiness in the upper and lower lids, bags under the eyes, excess skin and wrinkles in the lower eyelid, and drooping lids.

Blepharoplasty also can correct for folds in the upper eyelid that impair vision.

Upper/lower Eyelid Surgery

Upper/lower eyelid surgery reduces the swelling (edema) or puffiness around the eye. Upper and lower eyelids are susceptible to swelling because the skin around the eyes is the thinnest and most delicate in the body.

Swelling around the eyes naturally occurs as we age, but other causes include inherited facial features, medical issues like allergies and thyroid or sinus conditions, as well as stress, dehydration and sleep deprivation.

Puffy eyes also can be caused by changes in the fat pads located on both the upper and lower eyelids. These fat pads allow the muscles around the eyes to move easily, but as people age, fat pads often move forward and the membrane over them relaxes, creating puffiness around the eyes.